3) Economic Impact

The economic burden due to injuries and death from motorcycle crashes is substantial, estimated at $12 billion per year in the US. (5) Despite claims to the contrary, evidence indicates that the majority of the burden is paid by the general public, through higher insurance premiums and taxes, as well as through lost tax revenue. (5,6). In fact, in a study of 105 motorcyclists hospitalized for major trauma, 63.4% of the care was ultimately paid by public funds, with Medicaid accounting for more than half of all charges. (6) And while 60% of the direct cost was accounted for in the initial hospitalization, 23% was spent on rehabilitation and repeat hospitalizations. (6)